Trussed culvert



WH 3U? 1935. F. L cARswl-:LL Erm. l,999,500

TRUS SED CULVERT Filed May 14, 1934 v 2 .sheets-sheet 1 f/J 28 Y 2a .Z8 l l LT n n 'y a el 'I a D u 0 K 74 A? j /6 20 Uli ATTORNEYS.

AWM] w, 193 F. L.. cARsWELL. ET AL, 3111999599 TRUSSED CULVERT Filed May 14, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 2 X z? W 7 62- i 7% 2X f 6 da o o O O A mi' r IMU Y aff@ Afm/mdf.

/ /y/ TTORNEYS.'

Patented Apr. 30, 1935 1559999560;`

iiNirsn stares earsarorrica vintussen oULvEnT Firman L. Carswellfand Otto W. Schmidt,

y Kansas City, Mo.

Application May 14, 1934, Serial No. '725,564

lll Claims. (Cl. Gil- 16) This invention relates to culverts and partic- Fig. l2 is a similar View taken on line XII-XII ularly those of the larger sizes that are ernof Fig. 7. ployed in erecting largesubterranean drainage Heretoiore it has been unwise to construct channels or arch bridges, and the primary obmetal culverts to accommodate wide streams or .lect ofthe invention is to provide such a structure to serve as mediums of drainage Where large 5 wherein is embodied reenforcing means for the volumes of Water are to be carried on" through sheet of corrugated metal wall that serves to rainy seasons. There has been a need fora support the latter in a way which will preclude Streng, large culvert Wheh Would IlOl' Only uucoliapse and that will combine with the inherent obstructedlv span the flow Channel required. but

l0 Strength of the wall itself in maintaining it in Would be sufficiently strong to support the great 10 position after lling over. Weight to which it is subjected after the ll has Another object of this invention is to provide been thrown across the culvert wall. Combining a trussed culvert having unique structural i'eaa truss with the well known corrugated sheet tures for carrying out the aforementioned broader metal wall that is formed to present an arch inobjects, and further, having parts that combine stead of a circular type CulVeT has plOVeIl SHS- 15 in an admirame Way with culvert parts now profactory and there are several forms ofthe culvert duced by the applicants and disclosed in United contemplated by thSinVentOIl that might be States Letters Patent No. 1,964,313, issued June employed to accomplish the result desired and t0 25, 1934. suit conditions in different locations.

Where extensive road work is being done in One preferred embodiment of this invention 20 territories requiring a large amount ofV drainage, comprises a frame or bottom member lil that is cost of erecting concrete or steel bridges and inplanar and includes two spaced-apart, preferstalling concreteV or masonry culverts has been ably parallel, longitudinal side rails made up of a found to be a factor of great importance, relativelyT Wide channel i2, underlying a coin- This invention contemplates trussed culverts paratively narrow channel it, into which is ntted that are strong, inexpensive, "quickly installed, '611e lngiudlial edgee 0f Well i5 Which iS arched highly eicient, and may be embodied in the above one side of frame it to form a now chanforrn illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nel having a hat botto-1n. Transverse tie bars i8 wherein: join channels it and carry a depending apron 2li Figure l is a side elevationof a culvert made which acts as a retarding member for the water 30Y in accordance with this invention, passing through the culvert so that the floor of Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. the channel will always be maintained level with Fig. 3 is a vertical, cross section through the the open flume i@ because 0f the deDOSllOl 0f culvert in position on a foundation. silt, sand, or any substance that might be carried Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, detailed, secin suspension by the flowing water. 35 tional view through a part of the culvert Wall Channels i2 have their side walls downturned, at the point of connection between the upperas shown in Fig. 2J and may IeSt upon Suitable most span beams, one ofthe purlins and the wall. foundations 22 built for the DuIDOSe Channels Fig, 5 is a similar section taken on line V-V le have their Walls extending upwardly and emof Fig. 4. brace Wall l e to preclude its lateral movement in 40 pig 5 is a Staged View of one of the gusset either direction. Aprons Eil may have outwardly brackets entirely removed from the culvert. angled Wings 2@ at each and thereof and adjacent Fig. 7 is a vertically' transverse sectional View :each corner of the culvert which precludes Washthrough a culvert' made to embodyk a mod'ed ing around any part of this culvert structure. forni of the invention. n

Fig. 8 is a condensed, longitudinal Vsection through the same.

Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective vieW of a portion of one of the sectional spans employed in this form. f 28 practically contacts wall i6 at a mid-point in- Fig. 10 is an enlarged, detailed, sectional view immediate its' ends and at such pgint extends taken on line X-X of Fig. 7. tangentially thereto. Thus the ends of beams 28 Fig. 11 is a similar view taken on line XI-XI are spaced apart from 'wall it at their abuttingv an overlying reenforcing skeleton work made as illustrated. This truss comprises a series of spans, each of which has a plurality of beams 28 arranged in end-to-end relation and supported of Fig. 7, and, ends and at these points there is provideda 55 Arched wall it is trussed through the use of 45 upon channels l2 with wall le'. Each of beams 50 number of purlins Bil which extend longitudinally along wall l@ between the spans and the arched wall i6. Purlins Sil are preferably channel irons and are riveted or otherwise rigidly secured as at 32 directly to wall i6. The distance between the abutting ends of beams 28, and the thickness of purlins 3G is substantially the same and these purlins may be continuous from end to end of the culvert or may extend fromone span to the other, as illustrated.

In order to permit assembly of this trussed culvert on the job after the parts thereof have been shipped from the factory, it is preferable to providea specially formed gusset bracket 3d which not only joins together beams 23, but secures purlins 3Q rigidly in position. Bolts or analogous means 35 forni connection betweenbeams 28 and gusset 3d and these gussets may be riveted as at 38 directly to purlins 3S, if such is desired.

This truss forms a complete rigid network above arched wall i6 and rests directly upon Vthe same longitudinal side rails of frame lil as'the Wall. The positioning of such a truss not only precludes washing of the earth from around arched wall i6, but serves as a medium for strengthening the arched wall.

The culvert illustrated in Figs. '7 to l2 inclusive embodies a modiied form of the invention. The basic structural features, however, are the same as those illustrated and described With respect to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, in that foundation work 5i? is provided along the longitudinal sides of the `flow chamber which is created by the arched corrugated wall 52. Relatively wide channels 5Fl are mounted upon foundations 553 and the narrow channels 5S are associated therewith so that the upstanding sides may receive the longitudinal edges of arcuate wall 52. Tie angles 58 interconnect channels 5d and the depending apron Sil is attached to each of the said tie members 5S.

In creating the reenforcing truss in this form of culvert, the same should be made up of a series of arcuate, transverse spans S2, each having a plurality of sections 6d of inverted, U- shaped cross sectional contour and with the adjacent edges in telescoped relations as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 10 and 11. One end of each section 6d may be reduced as at so as to enter the adjacent section and a hole 53 is formed in the base of each section 64 near each end thereof. The width of section EL! making up spans E2 should be such as to allow the free edges thereof to lie within one of the inwardly arched corrugations formed by arched wall 52. This wall 52 is made up of a number of sections which overlap and the overlapping margins of the sections extend transversely over the v/all 52.

Overlapping margins lo are clearly illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 and the manner in which one of the spans 62 forms a cover or supplementary seal for the joint is also observed. The lower ends of each span 62 are associated with either channels 511 or 56 so that the weight is taken by foundations 59) and to complete the supporting association with wall 52, there is provided a number of tie members in the form of bolts "F2, which not only extend through the overlapped ends of sections 64, but also through wall 52. Suitable openings may be pierced in wall 52A Where needed and holes 68 of section 6s complete the tie structure. i

Internal purlins 'Hl extend longitudinally along Wall 52 and against the inner side thereof at substantially right angles to the spans 62 and wherever spans and purlins intersect, there should be a bolt 'i2 which extends through the purlin at this point. This relation of parts is illustrated in Fig. 10. The ends of each purlin 14 are cut at an angle as shown at 'i6 and since the purlin extends along the flow channel in the normal direction of travel of the water, it is obvious that no resistance will be set up thereby. So disposing spans and purlins 62 and 'i4 respectively insures a positive rigid connection between all parts of the culvert and likewise lends rigidity to the structure as a whole. Purlins 14 may be made in sections to that the length of the culvert need not be the length of the purlin and the sections 6d of spans 2 are interchangeable and relatively short so that in shipping there is a decided advantage because of the reduction in size of parts.

In installations requiring spans of from fifteen to twenty-five feet, this form of culvert is exceptionally useful and takes the place of more expensive, reenforced concrete bridges.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A culvert'l of the character described comprising a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinal side rails; an arched wail having its longitudinal edges resting upon the said side rails; a reenforcing truss spanning the space between said side rails and overlying said arched wall; and means rigidly interconnecting Vsaid truss and arched wall, said truss being carried by the side rails that supports the arched wall.

2. A culvert comprising, in combination, an open frame having longitudinal side rails; tie members to maintain the said side rails in spaced relation; an arched wall closing one side of the frame and overlying the saine With its longitudinal edges resting upon said side rails; and a truss overlying said arched wall, rigidly secured thereto and mounted upon the side rails.

3. A culvert comprisingl an open frame having longitudinal side rails disposed in spaced relation; a wall overlying one side of said frame with its longitudinal edges resting upon the side rails; and a truss mounted on the said side rails and extending over said Wall, said truss comprising a series of spans and means rigidlyjoining the spans and said wall at spaced-apart points along the length of the former.

4i. A culvertY comprising an open frame having longitudinal side rails disposed in spaced relation; a wall overlying one side of said frame with its longitudinal edges resting upon the side rails; and a truss mounted on the said side rails and extending over said Wall, said truss comprising Va series of spans extending transversely over said arched wall, a plurality of purlins interconnecting said spans and extending longitudinally along the wall, and means rigidly interconnecting said purlins and Wall.

5. A culvert comprising an open frame having longitudinal side rails disposed in spaced relation; a wall overlying one side of said frame with its longitudinalY edges resting lupon the side rails; and a truss mounted on the said side rails and extending over said wall, said trusscomprising a series of spans extending transversely over said arched Wall, a plurality of purlins extending longitudinally along the wall and transversely of the said spans, and brackets joining the said spans and purlins'at their Y.points of intersection.

6. A culvert comprising an openframe having longitudinal side rails disposed in spaced rela.-

tion; a wall overlying one side of said frame with its longitudinal edges resting upon the side rails; and a truss mounted on the said side rails and extending over said wall, said truss comprising a series of spans extending transversely over said arched Wall, a plurality of purlins extending longitudinally along the wall and transversely of the said spans, and brackets joining the said spans and purlins at their points of intersection, the said spans each comprising a plurality of beams having abutting ends at the points of intersection with the said purlins.

7. In a culvert of the kind described, a frame having side rails; an arched wall closing one side of the frame and extending thereabove; and a truss mounted on the side rails and extending over the said wall comprising a series `of spans each having a plurality of rectilinear beams ar,

ranged in endtoend relation, and a pluralityV of purlins interconnecting said spans and Awall at the abutting ends of the beams of said spans, the width of said purlins being substantially the same as the distance between the said wall and spans at said points ci interconnection, said beams being tangent to the said wall intermediate the ends of the former.

8. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a flow channel; and a reenforcing truss secured to said wall comprising a series or" arched spans extending over said Wall in supporting relation thereto, and longitudinally extending purlins within said now channel against said wall, said spans and purlins being secured together at the respective points of intersection.

9. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a ilow channel; and a reenforcing truss in supporting relation with said wall comprising a series of arched spans extending 'transversely over said wall, longitudinally extending purlins within said iow channel along the inner side oi said wall, and tie members securing together the spans, purlins and Wall at the respective points Y of intersection of the spans and purlins.

l0. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a now channel; and a reenforcing truss in supporting relation With said Wall comprising a series of arched spans, each comprising a plurality of telescoped sections, extending transversely over said wall, longitudinally extending purlins along the inner side oi said Wall, and tie members securing together the spans, purlins and wall at the respective points of intersection of the spans and purlins, said tie members serving to also secure together the telescoped ends of the span sections which cverlie the purlins.

1.1. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a new channel and including a number of overlapping wall sections having the overlapped margins thereof extending transversely of the ilow channel; and a reenforcing truss comprising a series of arched, transversely extending spa-ns over the said wall, said spans being substantially inverted, U-shaped in cross section and having their edges against the outer face of the said wall, and means for securing together the said spans and wall.

l2. A culvert comprising an arched Wall forming a new channel and including va number of corrugated, overlapping Wall sections having the overlapped margins thereof extending transversely of the flow channel; and a reenforcing truss comprising a series of arched, transversely extending spans over the said wall, said spans being substantially inverted, U-shaped in cross section and having their edges against the outer face of the said corrugated wall and respectively within one of the inwardly curved corrugations, and means for securing together said spans and wall.

13. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a low channel and including a number of corrugated, overlapping wall sections having the overlapped margins thereof extending transversely of the flow channel; and areenorcing truss comprising a series of arched, transversely ex tending spans over the said wall, said spans being substantially inverted, U-shaped in cross section and having their edges against the outer face of the said corrugated wall and respectively within one of the inwardly curved corrugations, and means for securing together said spans and wall, certain of said inverted U-sha'ped spans overlying the overlapping margins of the wall substantially throughout their lengths.

14. A culvert comprising an arched wall forming a iiow channel and including a number of corrugated overlapping Wall sections having the overlapped margins thereof extending transversely of the flow channel; and a reenforcing truss comprising a series of arched, transversely extending spans over the said wall, said spans being substantially inverted, U-shaped in cross section and having their edges against the outer face of the said corrugated wall and respectively within one of the inwardly curved corrugations,

and means for securing together said spans and Wall, said spans each comprising a plurality of telescoped sections, the said securing means also serving to lock together the telescoped portions of the said sections.

' FIRMAN L. CARSWELL.

OTTO W. SCHMIDT. 

